'Hell's Kitchen' recap: Grab the earplugs! Mary makes the final two

Whoa! Didn't see that one coming. It was clear going into the final four that Mary could cook. And after she earned her turn running the kitchen, it's clear she can also lead.

In fact, she proved so adept and so confident when she grabbed the reins in the kitchen that she managed to catapult herself to front-runner. Her take-charge style seemed genuine -- she wasn't just bluffing it while chef Gordon Ramsay stood over her shoulder -- and she even caught the sabotage attempt. Sous chef Andi slipped lamb into the beef Wellington, and she spotted it. Nicely done.

If Mary with her shrill nails-on-a-chalkboard voice wins, all her colleagues will have to come to work with earplugs. Seriously.

Are you surprised that Mary is one of the final two? Her level of growth and improvement has been astounding, something that chef said contributed to the decision to propel her forward. And there's no doubt that's true. Yet he hasn't been portrayed as the most mature of competitors. Not exactly immature, but not exactly leadership material, either.

That is, until her turn running the pass this week.

The assumption had long been that it would be the two Js -- Jon and Ja'Nel in the finale. Now, at least one of them will be going home. Are you surprised by this turn of events? Who do you think will join Mary in the finale?